April
03
/ 2015
Archaeologists in the state of Karnataka, in South West India, have discovered a set of ancient tablets with inscriptions that reveal a family of six people underwent the sacrificial rite of Sallekhana, the Jain religious ritual involving voluntary death by fasting. Sallekhana is a practice that is believed to lead one to spiritual liberation. Its purpose is to purge old karmas and prevent the creation of new ones. It resembles the Hindu practice of Prayopavesa (suicide by fasting), and the Buddhist practice of Sokushinbutsu (self-mummification). The vow of Sallekhana (or Santhara) is taken when a person has no responsibilities remaining in life and when they feel their life has served its purpose and they wish to go on to another
